McNeese takes thrilling 11-10 win over Baylor to open NCAA softball regional play

COLLEGE STATION, Texas- McNeese softball opened up Regional Tournament play with a thrilling 11-10 win over 18th ranked Baylor Friday to advance to Saturday’s 1:30 p.m. game against host Texas A&M.

“This was an intense game with a lot of offense,” said McNeese head coach James Landreneau. “I thought Flores was pitching really well early in the game and we were able to put up some run support and then Baylor started to score some runs in bunches. We knew they have that ability to score like that, I’m just proud of the girls for staying within ourselves through all the momentum changes.”

McNeese (41-19) jumped out to a quick 5-0 lead in the top of the first off six hits and one Baylor error. McNeese opened the game with a leadoff bunt by Justyce McClain before she rounded the bases to score on an Erika Piancastelli doubled all the way to the left centerfield wall.

After a single by Alexandria Saldivar, Brenique Wright singled through the right side that scored Piancastelli then Saldivar scored on a throwing error for a 3-0 lead. Back to back doubles by Tayler Strother and Carleigh Chaumont scored two more runs for a 5-0 Cowgirl lead.

McNeese added another run in the second inning for a 6-0 lead when McClain led the inning off with a single to left, her second hit of the game. McClain stole second and then third before scoring on a perfectly executed squeeze bunt by Morgan Catron.

The Cowgirls tacked on two more runs in the third to extend the lead to 8-0 after back-to-back singles by Strother and Chaumont. Strother gave McNeese a 7-0 lead when she scored off Chaumont’s double then McClain’s two out single up the middle moved Chaumont to third before she scored on an error.

Baylor cut the Cowgirl lead in half by scoring four runs on three hits and one Cowgirl error in the inning.

Flores gave up her first hit of the game in the fourth inning when Nicky Dawson singled through the right side. Flores would go on to give up two more hits and four runs in the inning to cut the Cowgirl lead to 8-4.

Sacrifice flies by Saldivar and Aubree Turbeville scored two more runs to cross the plate in the top of the sixth to extend the Cowgirl lead to 10-4.

Baylor got within one run by scoring five runs on two outs in the bottom of the sixth. The Bears got two runs off a two-run home run by Hannah Thompson, then two more runs came across the plate on a double by Dawson with the final run scored on a single by Scroggins. After a second pitching change by McNeese, Caroline Settle got a huge pop out to get Shelby Friudenberg out for the third out to leave the tying run stranded on third

The Cowgirls got one run back in the top of the seventh with two outs to lead 11-9. Piancastelli reached on an error and McClain scored.

Baylor, serving as the home team started the bottom of the seventh off with a single before Settle got the first out on a fly ball to right center. Another single up the middle put runners on first and second before Settle got the second out of the inning on another fly out to right center. A single to right field by by Taylor Ellis scored Goose McGlaun to bring Baylor to within one run (11-10. The game ended with the tying run on third and McNeese got Ellis out in a run down between first and second.

McClain led McNeese’s hitting attack that consisted of 13 hits on the day with a 4-for-4 plate appearance with one RBI, one walk and three runs scored. Four other Cowgirls (Piancastelli, Wright, Strother, Chaumont) all had two hits apiece. Piancastelli had two doubles and both Strother and Chaumont had one apiece.

Flores improved to 19-9 on the season with the win while Settle picked up her first career save. Flores gave up eight runs on six hits with two walks in 5 2/3 innings while Settle gave up one run on three hits in 1 1/3 innings.

Baylor ended the game with 11 hits and had three players with two or more hits. Hannah Thompson led Baylor with four RBI including a two run home run in the sixth inning.

Regan Green fell to 11-5 on the year with the loss after giving up five runs on six hits in 2/3 innings.